Olu of Warri honor UTM FLNG Boss, Julius Rone

The Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, has conferred the inaugural Royal Order of Iwere Distinguished Award on Dr. Julius Rone, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of UTM Offshore Ltd, owners of Nigeria’s first indigenous Floating Liquified Natural Gas (FLNG).

The UTM boss was honoured on Saturday alongside other Itsekiri personalities in a grand ceremony at Aghofen, the Palace of Olu of Warri to celebrate the 3rd year coronation anniversary of the Monarch.

The Royal Iwere Society is devoted to fostering a culture of performance and excellence by honouring outstanding Itsekiri individuals who have made exceptional and significant strides in their respective fields.

Speaking while conferring the award, the Olu of Warri commended Dr. Rone for his exceptional achievements which have deeply resonated with the Itsekiri Kingdom, setting exemplary standards for future generation and fostering a pioneering spirit that fortifies the cultural and economic fabric of the Warri Kingdom.

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The Monarch further stated that Rone’s dedication and impact has contributed to the overall enrichment of the Warri Kingdom and beyond.

Speaking after receiving his royal honor, a highly elated Rone expressed deep appreciation to the Olu of Warri while describing the Royal Iwere Society Award as his most cherished conferment and restating his unalloyed loyalty and support to the Monarch.

“I Thank God for the great honour by the most respected and most revered monarch in the world, the Olu of Warri. I have been honored around the world but this is the best award I have received. I want to assure you and pledge my unreserved loyalty to you and promise that we will support you to take Warri to where you want to take it to.

“I am filled with Joy in my heart because I am a palace boy. My father has served four Monarchs in this Warri kingdom. So, for me to be honored today shows that charity begins at home”, he said.

He added that the blessing that Itsekiri sons and daughters will receive under the reign of the Olu of Warri will be unprecedented.

“Your son is developing the first Nigerian Floating LNG; the first black man to develop a floating LNG”, Dr. Rone stated.

When completed the UTM FLNG is expected to produce 2.8 million metric tonnes of natural gas, 450 metric tonnes of LPG and other liquids per annum for export and domestic consumption which is expected to leapfrog the national economy by ensuring availability of gas at lower cost as well as generate massive employment and multi-million Naira business opportunities for Nigerians.